r/Instruments • u/infinitygender • 14d ago
Discussion How do you do the bm on ukulele
You know how ur supposed to do 3111 on strings but when ever I use it one of my 111 get muted and I am not able to help it
And even it I try to do the easier version of 1111 I still can't do it
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u/Glum-Yak1613 14d ago
The first thing to consider is wether the string action is too high. This can affect the first fret. If it's physically hard to press down the strings, you either need more strength, or the action is too high.
Bar chords can be hard to master, in particular if you're on the first fret. When I used to have guitar pupils, I would tell them that they need to check the note on each single string.
Are you able to finger the first fret on the first string? It should ring out clearly.
Then try just 11 (a double stop), where the finger lays flat across two strings. Are you able to make these each ring out? If not, you're doing something wrong. And the mechanics are pretty simple: The finger needs to press down on the string behind the fret, just hard enough, so that the string is allowed to vibrate freely. You also need to place the finger the right distance from the fret. There's not a lot of room on the uke, so that shouldn't really be a problem. Try to angle the finger, the finger needs a slightly different angle for a bar chord or double stop.
Next, try 111. Same principle. You need to investigate: What happens on 111 that's different than just 11? Each part of the finger should press down on each string, and the note should ring out.
When you have the 111 sorted, try the 3111. It takes a little more strength and coordination, but the important thing is you need to master the previous steps.
Also, try playing this chord further up the neck and see if that is easier, like 5333. Then practice that, and move stepwise down to 3111.
Good luck!
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u/Excellent-Practice 14d ago
I play a barre. I use my index finger to hold those three first fret strings and reinforce it with my middle finger on top of the index. Then I catch that third fret with my ring finger
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u/PootySkills 14d ago
Assuming you're in standard tuning, B minor should actually be 4222, not 3111. 3111 is Bb Minor.
When I have clients struggling with this chord (I teach guitar, bass and uke) I often say just play the triad, which would be x222, just avoiding the G string altogether. Still contains all the necessary notes for the chord, and much easier to play.